Portable bleacher



H. I I D.'OBERDORFER PORTABLE BLEACHER Patented Apr. 5, 1.927.

,HENRY D. 'OBERDORFER, OF CHAMPAIGII, ILLINOIS.

' PORTABLE 'BLEACHER.

Application filed August 1, 1923. Serial No. 654,970.

.Ihis invention relates to a portable stand or bleacher constructiomandone of the objects oi' the invention is to simplify and standardize theequipment so that the parts are interchangeable and easily and quicklyassembled or taken down. .A further object of the invention is toprovide hanger supports which are so attached to the stringers that theywill not weaken the stress and strain edges thereof. Other objects ofthe invention will appear hereinafter. In the accompanying drawing, Fig.1 is a perspective of a section of a bleacher embodying the presentinvention; Fig. 2 is a section showing the construction; Figs. 3 and 1are top and end views respectively illustrating a hanger support; Fig.is a perspective further illustrating the construction and applicationof the hanger supports; and Fig. 6 is a perspective illustrating the endof one of the stringer connectors.

In erecting a stand of this kind it is highly desirable that the partsmay be assembled quickly and accurately, and also that as many of theparts as possible be similar or interchangeable so that the least chancemay be afforded for making an error in assembling. When wood stringersare used it has been found that the attachment of the rail supports tothe lower edges of the stringers tends to weaken the edges. Furthermorethe foot board supports if attached by means of screws or bolts to thebottom edges are more likely to pull out than if they are connectedthrough the stringer itself or hooked over the top therof. In thepresent invention these objections are overcome by connecting the footboard supports upon the longitudinal center line of the stringer orhooking them over the upper edge, or both. 7

As shown in Fig. 1, the invention is applied to a pair of spaced woodenstringers 1, but it is applicable equally well to metal stringers. Thestringers are spaced apart and held in upright parallel position bymeans of plates 2 attached on opposite sides of the stringers byfastening bolts 3 with headed projections 4 extending outwardly from theface of each plate; At the ends of a spacing bar 5 are rigidly attachedangular heads 6 having notches 7 and 8 adapted to be engaged over theheaded projections 4. These notches are simply placed over the heads 4of adjacent stringers, and the stringers will be locked in uprightparallel spaced position.

Seats 9 are supported on top of the horizontal position and preventedfrom dis-.

placement by means of the front and rear bends 11 and 12.

Foot boards 13 are supported below the stringers by means of hangersupports 14 each of which comprises a straight portion for carrying thefoot board 13, and at the ends of this straight portion are unequal legs16 and 17 inclined slightly to the straight portion and the extremitieseach twisted substantially at right angles so that the twistedextremities will fit flatly against the opposite sides of a stringer 1so that a fastening device 18 can be inserted through the leg portionand through the stringer at about the transverse center of the stringer.The extremities 19 and 20 of these legs 16 and 17 are bent oppositely atright angles to engage over the top of the stringer to which they areapplied, and a fastening device 21 is inserted therethrough into theupper edge of the stringer.

l/Vith this construction it is obvious that the lower. strain line ofthe stringer is not weakened by the insertion of fastening devices andas the transverse center of a stringer of this kind has practically nostress or strain lines, the stringer is not weakened by the insertion ofthe fastening devices 18. As the fastenings for both the hangers 15 andthe seat brackets 10 are all on the upper edge of the stringer, they areeasily secured in place. 1

In taking down the bleachers it is necessary only to remove the seat andfoot boards and then to disconnect the heads 6 of the cross connectingrails from the headed bolts. The construction is therefore easilyassembled, may be quickly taken down, and occupies a minimum space whentaken down, and is easily conveyed from one place to another, thereforemaking an ideal portable construction.

I claim:

1. In portable bleachers, the combination in upright parallel position,seat and foot boards therefor, and a plurality of supports loo andhangers each attachable at the upper edges of the stringers forsupporting the seat and foot boards respectively.

2. In a bleacher construction, a foot board hanger support forattachment to a stringer, the support having an intermediate straightportion to extend below and at an angle to the stringer and twisted endsof the same width of material but of unequal length adapted to fitflatly against opposite sides of a stringer to which it is attached.

3. In a bleacher construction, a foot rail hanger comprising a metalsupport made of strip material having an intermediate straight portionfor the attachment of a foot board, and right angled arms unequal inlength which are twisted substantially at right angles so they will fitflatly against the opposite faces of a stringer to which they areattached, the extremities of the arms being bent to fit over and engagethe upper edge of the stringer.

4. In a bleacher construction, an inclined stringer, a foot boardsupport comprising a bracket made of strip metal with a straight portionand unequal twisted arms, the ex tremities of which are bent oppositelyinward to engage over the upper edge of the stringer and the armsengaging the opposite upright faces therof, and fastening means forconnecting the arms to the stringers along the center line, where stressand strain are at the minimum.

HENRY D. OBERDORFER.

